Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/28/2008

Question
i have acquired my greatgrandmas sideboard. its still a sturdy piece of furniture but it has water stains and such on it. i want to strip it and restain it but i don't want to ruin the integrity of the furniture.could you tell me the best way to safely strip it and what to restain it with to keep it in the era it was made?oh just an FYI grandma was born in 1902 and the table is from the late 20's early 30s.

Answer
Hi Barb
Nice to hear from you.
Usually with water stains that have penetrated the finish the only fix is a full strip and refinish.
So that means removing all existing finish, restaining and a new finish applied.
Here are my standard instructions that will apply to your sideboard.
It sounds like you have not done this type of work before but if you take your time and follow instructions I know you can do it.
It can be messy and smelly but thats part of the process.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING FURNITURE
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.  
I am hoping you can get "CIRCA 1850" brand paint and varnish remover in your area.
Here is a link
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN...

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
3 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with), and a pair of cotton gloves inside the rubber ones.
People react differently to stripper. A lot of people feel heat through the rubber gloves, but I feel cold. Have no idea why.
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION..A MUST
That's all you need to get started.
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections. Perhaps one side of the sideboard at a time.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND
Barb at this point you must determine if the water marks are still present.
If they are get back to me as I don't want to overload you with info.
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag, this was likely a dark colored piece so use Minwax stain in "Special Walnut" color.
Then 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.

Good Luck
Regards
Eileen